How to Make a Bootable USB on Mac

Creating a bootable USB on Mac can be a straightforward process if you follow the right steps.

In this article, we’ll explore how to make bootable USB Mac devices, guiding you through the necessary steps with helpful tips and instructions to ensure success.

Table of Contents

Why Do You Need a Bootable USB on Mac?

There are several reasons why creating a bootable USB drive is beneficial, including:

System Recovery: You can restore your system if you encounter problems.
OS Installation: Install macOS, Linux, or Windows on multiple devices.
Data Backup: Transfer essential files to a USB drive quickly and efficiently.
Performance Boost: Run diagnostics or utility tools without relying on your internal disk.

Knowing how to make a bootable USB on Mac allows you to take control of these situations effectively.

What Do You Need Before Creating a Bootable USB?

Before you dive into how to make bootable USB Mac, make sure you have the following:

USB Flash Drive: At least 16GB of storage is recommended.
macOS Installer: Download the macOS version you want to install from the App Store.
Terminal App: This built-in Mac application allows you to run command-line functions for creating the bootable USB.

Once you have the necessary components, you can proceed with the creation process!

How to Format Your USB Drive on Mac?

The first step in how to make bootable USB Mac is to format your USB drive.

Insert the USB Flash Drive into your Mac.
Open Disk Utility (you can find it via Spotlight Search or Applications > Utilities).
Select your USB drive from the list on the left.
Click on the Erase button at the top.
Choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the format.
Name your drive (you might consider naming it “Untitled” as it’s easier for the terminal commands).
Click Erase to format the USB drive.

Make sure that you back up any important information on the USB drive before formatting, as this process will erase all its contents.

How to Download macOS for a Bootable USB?

To create a bootable USB on Mac, you’ll need the macOS installer.

Open the App Store.
Search for the desired version of macOS (like Big Sur or Monterey).
Click Get to download the OS.
The installer will automatically go to your Applications folder once downloaded.

Once you have the macOS installer, you are ready to make a bootable USB.

How to Create a Bootable USB Using Terminal on Mac?

Now, let’s get into the detailed process of how to make bootable USB Mac using Terminal.

Open Terminal: You can find it in Applications > Utilities or search using Spotlight.
Enter the Command:
Use the following command to start the creation process. Make sure to replace “Untitled” with the name you assigned to your USB drive if it’s different.

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [Name].app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [Name].app --nointeraction

Replace [Name] with the version you are installing (like Big Sur or Monterey).

Press Enter: This will initiate the command.
Provide Your Password: You may be prompted to enter your Mac password to authorize the process.
Wait for the Process to Complete: Terminal will show you the progress. This process may take a few minutes, and it will let you know when it’s finished.

By following this step, you’ve successfully learned how to make bootable USB on Mac!

How to Eject the Bootable USB?

Once the process is complete, you need to safely eject your USB drive.

Go back to Disk Utility.
Select your newly created bootable USB.
Click the Eject button or right-click and select Eject.

Alternatively, you can also drag the USB to the trash or right-click it on your desktop and choose Eject.

How to Boot from the USB Drive on Mac?

Now that you’ve created a bootable USB, you might wonder how to use it to install macOS.

Here’s how to boot from it:

Insert Your Bootable USB Drive into your target Mac.
Restart the Mac.
While the Mac is restarting, hold down the Option (⌥) key until you see the startup manager.
Select the USB drive icon that appears on your screen.
Press Enter to boot from the USB.

You are now ready to install or reinstall macOS on your Mac!

Key Takeaways: How to Make Bootable USB on Mac

In conclusion, how to make bootable USB Mac can be accomplished in just a few steps:

Format the USB drive using Disk Utility.
Download the macOS installer from the App Store.
Use Terminal to create a bootable USB.
Eject the USB, and then you can boot from it as needed.

By mastering this skill, you equip yourself with a valuable tool for system recovery, installations, and various troubleshooting tasks.

Final Thoughts

The ability to create a bootable USB drive on your Mac opens a door to numerous opportunities for system management and flexibility.

With glowing reviews and requests for similar articles, it is clear that learning how to make bootable USB on Mac is a skill that can benefit many users.

Next time you need to troubleshoot or install an OS, remember these steps, and you will be well on your way to a successful installation!